20 elderly turned away by GHMC-run night shelters

Like Kamalamma, there are nearly 20 elderly homeless who have been turned away by GHMC-run shelters and dumped...Read More

HYDERABAD: In her old age, Kamalamma has no place she can call home. Left to fend for herself on the streets by her children, the 68-year-old’s only hope was Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC)-run night shelters.

But this hope too was dashed when GHMC’s Amberpet shelter refused to take her in citing lack of facilities, till NGO Good Samaritans India came to her rescue. Like Kamalamma, there are nearly 20 elderly homeless who have been turned away by GHMC-run shelters and dumped on local NGOs. Some were also refused shelter as they don’t have valid ID proof. “Several elderly persons from Uppal, Amberpet, Begumpet flyover and Namalgundu shelters of GHMC were asked to move into our shelter. Some were also asked to furnish ID proof, which is the last thing an abandoned elderly will carry,” said George Rakesh, founder, Good Samaritans India, adding that nearly 10 women were sent by Amberpet GHMC night shelter. However, officials in charge of GHMC night shelters refuted these allegations. “We cannot ask the homeless for ID proof. But we handed over some of the rescued elderly to an NGO, as taking care of them would have been difficult. The shelter home is on the first floor, while the bathroom is on the second floor,” said P Jyothi of NGO Sahodya, which manages Amberpet night shelter.

“We do not have any elderly staying in our shelter,” said Sumabala, in-charge, Uppal GHMC night shelter. While a senior GHMC official admitted ID proof is compulsory for night shelter inmates, an urban community development wing official said those who can’t look after themselves are referred to NGOs due to lack of facilities. “We have rescued some elderly and housed them in an ashram in Chanchalguda. They are provided food and shelter. Those who can’t look after themselves are referred to NGOs,” the official said.